A1 Prepositions in English
Prepositions are essential connecting words. They show the relationship between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence. At A1 level, learners usually start with prepositions of place, time, and movement.
What are prepositions?
A preposition helps answer simple questions like where?, when?, and where to?
📍 Prepositions of Place
These words show where something is located.
in
Inside a space.
on
Touching the top surface.
at
A specific point or place.
under
Directly below something.
next to
Beside or very close.
behind
At the back of something.
in front of
Facing the front side.
between
In the middle of two things.
⏰ Prepositions of Time
These words show when something happens.
on
Days and dates.
in
Months, years, seasons, and parts of the day.
at
Exact times and specific moments.
🚶 Prepositions of Direction and Movement
These words show movement, starting points, and destinations.
to
Moving toward a destination.
from
The starting point.
into
Moving inside something.
A1 Prepositions Quick Table
| Preposition | Main Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | inside / months / years | The pencil is in the box. |
| on | surface / days | The cup is on the table. |
| at | point / exact time | We meet at 9:00. |
| under | below | The dog is under the bed. |
| next to | beside | The shop is next to the bank. |
| behind | at the back | The tree is behind the house. |
| between | middle of two things | The ball is between two chairs. |
| to | destination | He walks to school. |
| from | starting point | She is from Spain. |
Easy Memory Tips
Think of a box, room, bag, city, month, or year.
Think of a surface, a day, or a date.
Think of a point: a door, a bus stop, or an exact time.
Use in for bigger spaces, on for surfaces, and at for exact points.